By BONGANI FUZILE
Buffalo City Metro refuse collector Ndiphiwe Owen Mtshengu, who was erroneously reported to have earned R275000 for a “few days work” overtime last year by the Auditor-General (AG), has been cleared.
The AG erroneously reported that Mtshengu had received R275525.37 overtime pay in February 2015.
But Mtshengu, when interviewed by the Dispatch in March this year, denied that he ever received the money.
Speaking yesterday, Mtshengu, who earns R6800 a month before overtime, said the error had caused him and his family a lot of trouble and pain.
He said his family did not believe him when he said what was reported was lies.
“My family didn’t believe that I didn’t receive that money and this caused tension in my house. My colleagues at work were also teasing me about this, it caused pain and suffering to me,” he said.
When the Dispatch broke the news to him that he was cleared, he smiled and said it was all because of prayers.
“Imagine if I was arrested for this error. Imagine if I was suspended by my employer? But I am happy that I am finally clean,” he said.
Mtshengu said in February last year he had claimed about R5000 overtime and the money was duly paid.
“I am not alone, every employee of BCM makes money by working overtime.”
The AG reported that BCM employees at solid waste had already reached their 10 hours a week overtime limit and were claiming extra hours as emergency overtime although it was not an emergency.
Another amount flagged by the AG was overtime claimed by former BCM mayor Zukiswa Ncitha’s bodyguards for a total of R200000 in November, 2014.
According to the AG’s report, four bodyguards claimed between R36000 and R50000 on top of their monthly salaries.
Chairman of BCM’s municipal public accounts committee, Sakhumzi Caga, in a recent report to the council, said the error by the AG could have been detected had management reviewed the findings of the AG and responded to it.
He said the explanation of the error and apology from the AG had been accepted. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Overtime allegation was rubbish
Buffalo City Metro refuse collector Ndiphiwe Owen Mtshengu, who was erroneously reported to have earned R275000 for a “few days work” overtime last year by the Auditor-General (AG), has been cleared.
The AG erroneously reported that Mtshengu had received R275525.37 overtime pay in February 2015.
But Mtshengu, when interviewed by the Dispatch in March this year, denied that he ever received the money.
Speaking yesterday, Mtshengu, who earns R6800 a month before overtime, said the error had caused him and his family a lot of trouble and pain.
He said his family did not believe him when he said what was reported was lies.
“My family didn’t believe that I didn’t receive that money and this caused tension in my house. My colleagues at work were also teasing me about this, it caused pain and suffering to me,” he said.
When the Dispatch broke the news to him that he was cleared, he smiled and said it was all because of prayers.
“Imagine if I was arrested for this error. Imagine if I was suspended by my employer? But I am happy that I am finally clean,” he said.
Mtshengu said in February last year he had claimed about R5000 overtime and the money was duly paid.
“I am not alone, every employee of BCM makes money by working overtime.”
The AG reported that BCM employees at solid waste had already reached their 10 hours a week overtime limit and were claiming extra hours as emergency overtime although it was not an emergency.
Another amount flagged by the AG was overtime claimed by former BCM mayor Zukiswa Ncitha’s bodyguards for a total of R200000 in November, 2014.
According to the AG’s report, four bodyguards claimed between R36000 and R50000 on top of their monthly salaries.
Chairman of BCM’s municipal public accounts committee, Sakhumzi Caga, in a recent report to the council, said the error by the AG could have been detected had management reviewed the findings of the AG and responded to it.
He said the explanation of the error and apology from the AG had been accepted. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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